Editorial
As a product leader in the tech industry, I've seen countless projects stall before they even begin. The culprit? Decision paralysis. It's a challenge I know all too well, not just from my current role, but from my days as a freelance writer.
Before I ventured into tech, I tried to make my living as a freelance writer writing about video games. Sometimes I found it difficult to just get started.
This same roadblock applies to everyday business scenarios. I see it when my team asks, "We're tackling a gargantuan migration project. Where should we even begin?" The key, I've learned, is to just start somewhere.
I like to think of it this way: when you have a problem, you're effectively in free fall. The problem is only getting worse, it's never getting better. If you were falling and saw a piece of wood to grab onto, you wouldn't stop to consider the long-term implications of grabbing that specific piece. You'd just grab it.
Over the years, I've uncovered three key tips that can help teams overcome decision paralysis and get projects off the ground more efficiently.
1. Put Pen to Paper
The blank page can be intimidating, whether you're writing an article or starting a new project.
My solution? Just start writing — or in the case of project management, just start doing. Don't worry about perfection at first. Maybe you start with the conclusion and work backwards. Perhaps you jot down a series of disjointed ideas that you're 90% sure will be edited later. The important thing is to overcome inertia.
In project management, this might mean creating a rough outline of project phases, even if you're not sure of all the details. Or it could involve setting up a basic project structure in your management tool, knowing you'll refine it later. The key is to avoid putting things off for fear of making the wrong move.
I often encourage my team to embrace this draft mentality. We'll have sessions where we rapidly prototype ideas or create rough project plans, with the understanding that we're not aiming for perfection — we're aiming to start.
Related Article: Perplexed About Productivity? You're Not Alone
2. Consider Who – and Where – Your Collaborators Are
I love my team! It's a diverse group of professionals with a variety of backgrounds, life stories, perspectives and software experiences. This diversity is our strength, but it can also present challenges when it comes to collaboration.
When starting a new project, take time to consider who your collaborators are and where they're most comfortable working. Forcing everyone onto a new platform can be counterproductive. I've learned this the hard way. Sometimes a quick content review can turn into a time-consuming ordeal because you’ve asked your teammates to use an unfamiliar tool.
Instead, meet your team where they are. If most of your team is already comfortable with a particular platform, look for ways to centralize work there. At Slack, we've focused on creating integrations that bring other tools into our platform, allowing team members to collaborate without constantly switching contexts.
Remember, the goal of collaboration tools is to facilitate work, not create more of it. Choose platforms that reduce friction and allow your diverse team to play to their strengths.
Related Article: Personal User Manuals, Team Agreements and User Handbooks for Hybrid Teams
3. You Don't Always Need a New Tool
When facing a new challenge, it's tempting to think you need a brand-new solution. Sometimes the best approach is to rethink how you’re using existing tools.
Start by looking at the tools you already have. I've seen teams paralyzed by the thought of needing new software for every problem, when the solution was right in their existing tech stack. Before you invest in new software or platforms, take a step back and evaluate how your team is using its current tools.
Conduct a thorough audit of your existing tech stack. Ask team members which tools add value to their work and which ones are collecting digital dust. You might be surprised to find that you already have powerful tools at your disposal that aren't being used to their full potential.
For example, tools like Slack templates, use pre-configured bundles to combine an organization’s existing productivity tools (lists, workflows, canvases, channels, and more) to help teams get started.
Foster an environment that encourages openness and honesty during this audit process. Your team members are the ones in the trenches every day – their insights are invaluable. Create anonymous surveys or hold one-on-one discussions to get candid feedback. The goal here isn't perfection – it's progress. By focusing on tools you already know, you reduce the learning curve and can dive into the project faster.
Related Article: You Might Need to Audit Your Digital Workplace. Here's How
It’s All About People
If you only take one thing away from this, let it be this: at the end of the day, successful projects are all about people. When I think back on the breakthrough moments in my career, I might remember the work we did, but what really made the difference were the people involved.
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So, the next time you're facing a new project and feeling that decision paralysis creeping in, remember: it's not about having the perfect Gantt chart or the most detailed project plan. It's about getting started, bringing the right people together, and being willing to learn and adapt as you go.
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